The Clippers will have to wait until the playoffs to get another shot at beating the Oklahoma City Thunder.

And as far as chasing their nemesis down in the Western Conference standings, let's just say the Clippers must rely on others to do some of the heavy lifting.

Given three chances to beat the Thunder this year - the last coming Sunday in an afternoon showdown from Staples Center televised nationwide - the Clippers failed each time, this time falling 108-104 after digging themselves into a 19-point third-quarter hole.

Kevin Durant scored 35 points and Russell Westbrook added 29, including an answer-back layup with 1:25 left after the Clippers took their first lead of the game five seconds earlier.

Chris Paul had 26 points for the Clippers after starting slowly and Blake Griffin added 20 points and nine rebounds before fouling out with 59 seconds remaining.

Jamal Crawford added 20 points off the bench for the Clippers.

But instead of nudging ahead of the Thunder as the second seed in the conference playoff standings, the Clippers remain in third place, 1 1/2 games behind Oklahoma City and four behind the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs.

And rather than making a national television statement that they are a viable option to climb out of the Western Conference into the NBA Finals, they lost for the third time in three tries against the Thunder - twice on their home floor - less than a week after the Spurs took them apart at Staples Center.

If the Clippers were waging a public relations campaign, they might want to devise a new strategy right about now.

As it is, they are grinding their way through an NBA schedule and didn't seem in the mood to explain their credibility as a contender.

"It doesn't matter," Clippers guard Chris Paul said. "I think we were 3-1 against (the Thunder) last season and they got to the NBA finals."

True.

But there are some red flags, especially concerning their matchup against the Thunder, who consistently came out more aggressive and effective in the three games this season.

Sunday's game just epitomized the Thunder's ability to attack from the outset, with the Clippers playing lethargic and sloppy as they immediately surrendered control to Oklahoma City thanks to 16 first-half turnovers that completely sabotaged their offensive flow.

"We had (15) turnovers in the first half, that's bogus," Paul said. "That's crazy, that's not like us. "I had four tonight, probably three in the first half. We don't usually have (16) turnovers for the whole game and we had (15) in the first half. That's kind of embarrassing."

And impactful. The Thunder dictated the pace and rhythm while leading by as many as 19 points.

"That's uncharacteristic of us to have that many turnovers," Clippers guard Jamal Crawford said. "We always talk about that, even in games we win, we always talk about that. So for us, it just comes down to taking care of the ball."

The Clippers did a better job taking care of the ball in the second half, slicing the turnovers down to five, and it allowed them to methodically cut into the lead.

By the fourth quarter they were within striking distance, and miraculously took the lead thanks to a 7-point possession in which the Clippers hit two 3-pointers and got a free throw from Blake Griffin courtesy of a flagrant foul on Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka.

Matt Barnes opened the possession with a 3-pointer to make it 99-96, with Ibaka slamming Griffin in the groin area as the ball went through the net for the flagrant foul.

Griffin sank one of two free throws to make it 99-97, then Crawford hit another 3-pointer to put the Clippers up 101-100 with 1:30 left.

As for Ibaka, he remained in the game after the referees took a look at the play - much to the anger of the Clippers.

"I was surprised," Griffin said.

Ibaka would play a significant role in the Thunder prevailing, too.

Westbrook gave Oklahoma City the lead right back after Crawford's shot, snaking through the Clippers' defense for an easy layup with 1:25 left.

After Paul missed a floater in the lane, Ibaka broke free off an assist from Westbrook for a layup over Griffin, who fouled out on the play. Ibaka hit the free throw, the Thunder led 104-100 and the Clippers never recovered.

There went the chance to overtake the Thunder in the standings.

And so too the opportunity to state their case as championship material - for the time being.

"I don't look at it as an opportunity missed," Crawford said. "Every game you want to do your best and put your best foot forward."

The Clippers didn't do that Sunday, and truth be told they've yet to do it three times against the Thunder.